Shore Power in Malta: Grand Harbour, Freeport and AFIR

Does Malta have shore power?

Yes. Cruise ships in Valletta's Grand Harbour have been able to plug into shore power since 1 December 2023, when Viking Saturn made the first connection. Viking Venus followed the next day at Boiler Wharf.

Malta now has four onshore power supply (OPS) projects, according to the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects. Two are in the Grand Harbour and two are at Malta Freeport in Marsaxlokk. Valletta and Marsaxlokk are both TEN-T core ports, which places them inside the EU's 2030 shore power rules.

Only the cruise system is operational today. The other three projects are under implementation.

The Grand Harbour Clean Air Project

The Grand Harbour Clean Air Project was launched in 2021 to let cruise ships and RoRo vessels switch off their engines at berth and run on electricity. It was led by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta, with support from Valletta Cruise Port. The project was announced with a budget of just under €50 million.

The work included high voltage cabling through the harbour area. Around 5.5 km of power cables were installed, alongside chillers, backup power and fire safety systems.

The project's stated aim is to cut air pollution from cruise ships at berth by more than 90%. Infrastructure Malta's projections for cruise ships switching off auxiliary engines are 93% less nitrogen dioxide, 92.6% less particulate matter and 99.6% less sulphur dioxide in the port area.

What is operational in Valletta today?

The cruise phase serves Pinto Wharf, Deep Water Quay and Boiler Wharf, and can supply up to five cruise ships at the same time. It is a high voltage system.

Infrastructure Malta puts the investment at €33 million, of which €21.9 million was co financed by the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport programme. In its first year the system connected 94 ship calls and supplied about 3.7 million kWh. Infrastructure Malta reports a CO2 reduction of about 36.3% against conventional operation at berth.

Cruise lines must have shore power equipment on board to connect. Several fleets have connected since launch, including MSC World Europa in December 2023.

An assessment of 31 European ports published in July 2025 found Valletta among only four that had installed or contracted more than half of the connections they will need for 2030.

Southern Grand Harbour: RoRo and cargo berths

The second Grand Harbour project extends shore power to the southern side of the harbour. It covers Ras Ħanżir, Laboratory Wharf and Magazine Wharf, which mainly handle RoRo and breakbulk cargo ships.

Infrastructure Malta is implementing it with more than €12 million from CEF Transport, plus complementary funding from the Just Transition Fund 2021 to 2027 and national funds. The berths will receive both high voltage and low voltage supply.

Projected savings against running on marine fuel are about 5,840 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, with 93% less nitrogen oxides, 92.6% less particulate matter and 99.6% less sulphur dioxide. The project is designed to help Valletta meet its AFIR targets for 2030.

Malta Freeport, Marsaxlokk

Malta Freeport is the country's container transhipment hub, inside the TEN-T core port of Marsaxlokk on the Scan Med Corridor. Shore power there is being delivered in two phases.

Phase 1 covers North Quay Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and is co financed through the EU Just Transition Fund. Phase 2, known as OPS Freeport Action B and led by Malta Freeport Corporation, covers South Quay Terminal 2 and West Quay Terminal 1. It has a total value of €18.4 million, including an EU grant of €12.35 million under CEF Transport, approved in July 2025.

Phase 2 includes a frequency converter station, cable laying works, shore connection boxes and a cable management system. It will serve large container ships and RoRo and RoPax vessels, and is expected to reduce air and noise impacts on nearby Birżebbuġa.

What about the Gozo ferry?

No shore power installation for the Gozo Channel ferries at Ċirkewwa or Mġarr had been announced at the time of review. Malta's four published OPS projects are all in the Grand Harbour and at Malta Freeport.

No propulsion or shore charging specifications for future Gozo ferries have been published. DTF will update this guide when they are.

Malta's obligations under AFIR and FuelEU Maritime

Under AFIR, Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Malta must ensure that TEN-T ports meeting the traffic thresholds provide shore power for at least 90% of calls by container and passenger ships above 5,000 GT by 31 December 2029. Island ports not connected to a mainland grid are exempt until they are. Malta has been synchronised with the Italian grid through the 200 MW Malta to Sicily interconnector since March 2015.

Under FuelEU Maritime, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805, container and passenger ships above 5,000 GT moored for more than two hours in a TEN-T port must use OPS or a zero emission alternative from 1 January 2030. From 1 January 2035 this applies at every EU port where OPS is available.

Transport Malta, through its Merchant Shipping Directorate, has issued guidance to Malta flagged shipowners and operators on FuelEU monitoring, verification and the OPS requirement. Malta runs one of the largest ship registers in Europe, so the ship side rules reach far beyond Maltese ports.

Why shore power matters for Malta's air quality

Valletta's cruise berths sit in a dense urban harbour ringed by homes. Infrastructure Malta estimates that around 17,000 people live around the Grand Harbour, close enough to be affected by ship exhaust at berth.

A cruise ship running its generators alongside the Valletta waterfront emits nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and fine particles at street level. Shore power removes those emissions while the ship is connected, and cuts engine noise and vibration across the harbour.

The climate benefit depends on Malta's electricity mix, which draws on gas fired generation, solar and imports through the interconnector. The local air quality gain is immediate wherever a ship connects.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Can cruise ships use shore power in Valletta?+

Yes. Since 1 December 2023, cruise ships with compatible equipment can connect to shore power at Pinto Wharf, Deep Water Quay and Boiler Wharf in the Grand Harbour, with up to five ships connected at once.

What is the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project?+

It is Malta's programme to supply electricity to cruise and RoRo ships at berth in the Grand Harbour so they can switch off their engines. It was led by Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta and co funded by the EU.

How much did Malta's cruise shore power cost?+

Infrastructure Malta puts the investment at €33 million, of which €21.9 million was co financed through the EU's Connecting Europe Facility. The wider project was announced with a budget of just under €50 million.

How many ships have used shore power in Malta?+

In its first year of operation, Valletta's cruise shore power connected 94 ship calls and supplied about 3.7 million kWh of electricity, according to Infrastructure Malta.

Does Malta Freeport have shore power?+

Shore power at Malta Freeport is under implementation in two phases. Phase 2 at South Quay Terminal 2 and West Quay Terminal 1 has a €12.35 million EU grant from the Connecting Europe Facility.

Do the Gozo ferries use shore power?+

No shore power system for the Gozo Channel ferries at Ċirkewwa or Mġarr had been announced at the time of review. Malta's OPS projects are in the Grand Harbour and at Malta Freeport.

Does the EU shore power deadline apply to Malta?+

Yes. Valletta and Marsaxlokk are TEN-T core ports, so AFIR requires shore power for 90% of qualifying container and passenger ship calls by 31 December 2029, and FuelEU Maritime requires those ships to use it from 1 January 2030.

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